Read my reviews of the previous books in the Naughty in Pendleton series:
- Date in a Pinch (#1)
- Embracing His Shame (#2)
- Made to Order (#3)
- Flipping the Switch (#4)
This book can stand completely on its own and is not officially part of the Naughty in Pendleton series as far as I can tell on Amazon and Goodreads. However, it references familiar characters from the full series and is not to be missed by readers who also enjoyed this book (and vice versa). Blake and Preston are the last of their friend group to find love, but there’s a catch. They’ve already found love together once, but it fell apart due to their relative experience and circumstances. Once Preston went off to become a Hollywood star, both men figured that was it. They’d lost their single chance at their soulmate.
However, Hollywood stardom is not a forgiving lifestyle for those in certain other lifestyles. Once Preston’s secrets are splashed for all to see, he seeks escape in the only place he knows he’ll be safe. It happens to be the holidays, which makes this a Christmas romance. It’s also a romance that would have worked pretty much any time of year, but the added influence of both men’s truly well-meaning families makes their reconnection all the more poignant.
Both men have grown and matured in the time they’ve been apart. The kink and chemistry they share were never the problems, so it’s not much of a surprise that they fall back together so easily. It’s what happens after the holidays that makes this sweetly spicy romance worth the read. We get a romantic declaration straight out of a Hallmark movie and a happily ever after made up of excellently mature compromise on all sides. I enjoyed returning to Pendleton Bay this holiday season, and I look forward to reading more by Vaughn in the new year.
Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.